Pump



Nov. 7, 1939.- G. 5. UPTON AL PUMP Filed June 16, 1938 M w 7 .8 m B m w a g 2 5 M E 5 6 Q m P. 2 vw m 9 1 8 25:55:55:22: o o o ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 7 1939 PATENT oFFicE "PUMP Clarence G. Upton and Paul B. Barnett, Freer, Tex.; said Upton assignor to John P. Muller,

Fort Worth, Tex.

Application June 16, 1938, Serial No. 213,983

Claims. (01. 103-179) This invention relates to pumps and has particular reference to design and apparatus for pumping units to be used in oil wells, and its principal object resides in the provision of a 6 device of this character whereby the wearing'of the working parts is reduced thus'providinga mechanism which may be used over a longer period of time before it is necessary to replace the packing or other material used to make the pump impervious to leakage in its sliding contacts.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of a device of this character whereby sand impregnated oil may be pumped without the usual wearing of parts, such as the cups of conventional pumps, occasioned by the siliceous quality of sand frequently present in the pumping operation.

A further object of the invention resides in the provision of a pumping unit which may be self lubricating over a relatively long period of time without the necessity of removing the apparatus from the well to lubricate the unit.-

Yet another object of the invention is in the provision of a pumping unit of this type which utilizes the reciprocal movement of its plunger in lubricating the device.

Broadly, the invention seeks to comprehend the provision of a pumping unit for wells which may be used for a longer period of time than conventional pumps without the usual wear occasioned by the slidable surfaces, as well as providing a pump which is, in effect, self lubricating.

The invention will be more readily understood taken in connection with the appended drawing wherein:

Figure l is a vertical sectional view of the invention within an oil well casing illustrating parts of the invention in elevation and in section.

Figure 2 is a cross sectional view taken on lines 2-2 of Figure 1, and

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view of the lower end of the lubricating housing illustrating a construction in which the spring, illustrated in the preferred form of the invention, may be eliminated.

Accordingly, the invention is comprised of a tubular housing I, the upper and lower ends of which, a and b, are internally threaded to receive plugs land 3 for closing the ends thereof. To the outer ends of the plugs 2 and 3 there are threadedly attached caps 4 and 5 which are designed to serve as connections for the tubing 6 above the housing I and the working barrel 1 at the lower end.

The entire device is supported by other tubing 8 which may be perforated at its lower end, as illustrated fragmentarily in the lower portion of Figure 1.

Between the lower end of the working barrel 5 l and the tubing 8 there is threadedly attached a collar 9 which in turn supports a conventional standing valve In which may be of the ball check type.

A tubular plunger ll extends longitudinally 10 through the housing I and through the plugs 2 and 3 at each end thereof, the lower end entering into the working barrel 7 but is suspended from the walls by reason of the smaller diameter of the plunger II and is designed for reciprocat- 15 ing action.

Packing glands l2 are provided on each side of the plugs 2 and 3, as illustrated in Figure l and are of such dimensions and position as to accommodate the plunger H and retain packing 20 material l3 within the plugs 2 and 3 to prevent leakage. 1

Since the housing I entirely encloses the inner packing glands |2- they are not readily accessible for adjustment and, in order to overcome this 25 difiiculty, these internal glands l2 are not threadedly attached to the plugs 2 and 3 but are slidably engaged therein and are retained in place by a spring M. The packing I3 is then retained under-pressure when the device is assembled. 53.0

It is desirable that the chamber 5 be filled with lubricating oil, such as cup grease, the same being inserted through a grease cup l5 which is preferably of the Alemite type.

' The upper end of the plunger H is provided :35 with a ball check I6 for allowing passage between the said tubular plungerand the interior of the upper tubing 6. The upper end of the ball check it is attached to the lower end of a sucker rod I! which operates in a reciprocating motion de- 40 rived from conventional means.

The modification illustrated in Figure 3 is substantially the same as the structure described. except that the internal packing glands of the chamber l have been eliminated, thereby avoid- 45 ing the use of the spring l4.

On the downward movement of the plunger II the liquid is expressed upwardly through the said plunger by reason of displacement of the plunger volume within the working barrel, the liquid 50 being prevented from flowing downwardly from the working barrel 1 by reason of a standing valve l0. On the upward movement of the plunger l I, likewise by reason of the displacement within the working barrel I, vacuum is cre- 55 ated drawing liquid upwardly past the standing valve ID, and the liquid within the plunger H is raised. As the plunger again moves downwardly the liquid is spilled from the plunger through the check valve l6 into the upper tube 6.

Inasmuch as the conventional leather or fibrous cups have been eliminated, and since the sliding area has been reduced to the working surfaces of the relatively small packing, it can be seen that the efiect of sand in liquid such as oil is reduced materially. Moreover, the packing is retained under pressure and lubricated by comparatively large amounts of lubricating oil or grease thereby efiecting a pump capable of operation for longer periods of time without the necessity of withdrawing the pump from the well.

Manifestly, the structure herein shown and described is capable of considerable changes and modifications from time to time by those skilled in the art and such changes and modifications as may be resorted to falling within the spirit and intent ofthe invention may also be considered as falling within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination with a string of oil well tubing, a casing and a sucker rod in an oil well, a pumping unit comprising a housing interposed within the said string of tubing, a tubular plunger operatively arranged through the said housing, means comprising a check valve assembly connecting the said plunger to the sucker rod and aflording a closure for the uppermost end of the said plunger, packing glands arranged around the said plunger in each end of the said housing exteriorly and interiorly thereof, a chamber provided within the said housing around the said plunger, tensioned means within the said chamber retaining the said packing glands interiorly of the said housing and means providing for the lubrication of the said plunger within the said chamber.

2. In combination with a string of tubing, a casing and a string of sucker rods in an oil well, pumping apparatus comprising a housing interposed within the said tubing, apertured plugs secured within each end and providing a chamber within the said housing, a tubular plunger operatively arranged through the said housing within the said apertures, means comprising a check valve assembly connecting the upper end of the said plunger with the said rod string, packing glands surrounding the said plunger arranged on each side of the said plugs, tensioned means retaining the said packing glands within the said chamber and means admitting lubrication into the said chamber for the said plunger.

3. In combination with a string of tubing, a casing and a string of sucker rods in an oil well, a fluid pump comprising a tubular fitting interposed within the said tubing string, apertured plugs arranged within each end of the said fittings, providing a chamber therebetween, a

plunger in the said plugs exteriorly of the said chamber, wiping means for the said plunger comprising packing arranged in the apertures of the said plugs interiorly of the said chamber, tensioned means retaining the said wiping means in contact with the said plunger within the said chamber, and means providing for lubrication of the said plunger within the said chamber.

4. In combination with a string of tubing, a casing and a string of sucker rods in an oil well, a pump assembly comprising a tubular housing connected within the said tubing, a tubular plunger operatively arranged within the said fitting and adapted to extend on each end into the said tubing, apertured members fixed to each end of the said housing defining a lubricating chamber therebetween and providing journals for the said plunger, packing elements arranged around the said plunger in each of the said apertured members exteriorly of the said chamber, packing elements providing wiping means for the said plunger arranged interiorly of the said chamber within the inner faces of the said apertured members and tensioned means comprising a coil spring surrounding the said plunger bearing against each of the said interior packing elements retaining the latter against the said plunger.

5. In combination with a string of tubing, a casing and a pump rod in an oil well, a liquid pump comprising a housing connected within the said tubing, a tubular plunger operating within the said housing, means providing journals for the said plunger and defining a lubricating chamber therebetween, the said means arranged in each end of the said housing, packing elements in the said journals internally and externally of the said chamber, tensioned means within the said chamber urging the said internal packing elements in contact with the said plunger and means comprising a check valve providing a closure for the upper end of the said plunger.

CLARENCE G. UPTON. PAUL B. BARNETT. 

